Strange L42A1

[750 WLA]

Hi,
in Germany is this rifle to the sale.
Link
L42 from 1988??? Is it a bad fake or an unknown L42 version?
Swen

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[XL39E1]

Looks like a Charnwood Ordnance conversion

[Peter Laidler]

Can anyone believe that this pure fakery is really being passed of as an L42........?

[PrinzEugen]

In answer to the original question - it's a bad fake. My schoolboy German seems to suggest that it's being sold as the real thing.

[Frederick303]

Lets see......

Wrong magazine (sterling, should be a Enfield CR marked one)

incorrect markings (commercial, lacks "T" or "TR" marking)

Incorrect sling swivel (long target commercial, not short military pattern)

not a converted No 4 T but some commercial scope mount that replaces the rear sight.

No rear iron sight like on correct L42

Wood seems to be a crude attempt at L42 dimensions, but some how not quite correct, something is off.

The markings do look like a charnwood conversion albeit moved froward, expect most of those I have seen seem to have a reporduction Enfield magazine and have the markings just under the rear sight on the left side of the action body.

It is so differnt from a real L42 that I would doubt that fakery was intended.

[bigduke6]

Sterling conversion mag, and the scope mount / bracket looks like a, cad technik. (see link below)

Collecting and Shooting the Surplus Rifle - Cad Technik Enfield No-Gunsmith Scope Mount

[Roger Payne]

Of course it is as wrong as a 9 bob note. However, I do not think Charnwood were responsible for trying to fool anyone. The CO does indeed stand for Charnwood Ordnance, & the 88 is the year of manufacture. However, as alluded to above, Charnwood marked their rifles on the rear of the receiver in front of the safety (below the rear sight) as there is a nice convenient flat on which to engrave. The marks look to me NOT to be typical of those applied by Charnwood, as well as being much further forward on the body of the rifle. Note, however, they'd need to be moved to be visible with the scope mount of the type that's been fitted. I wonder if there are/were any other marks under the mount base??

Charnwood didn't need to fake stuff like this.......they had stillages full of the real thing.

ATB

[Brian Dick]

Last year I imported a fake L8 from Germany that was purchased by a client at auction. I examined an original in Nottingham in 1999. The Enfield markings are clearly displayed in Ian's books and any deviation should be suspicious. I've also had a couple of the Charnwood Ordnance 7.62 No.4's and they were both marked exactly as Roger describes.

[Peter Laidler]

You mark my words forumers.......... Within a year, this rifle will feature somewhere as one of the rifles put up for trials as a replacement for the old No4T or some other such bullshine. But good for a chuckle anyway

[bigduke6]

Price is also Reasonable for such a rare example......